CSES Scholarship Fundraiser Named For Barrentine; Two Long-Time Tournament Organizers Retire

After 25 years, more than half a million dollars raised and 240 scholarships awarded, the man who led the creation of the fundraiser is being honored with his name officially added to the name of the golf tournament.

The Delta Scholarship Golf Classic, beginning in 2026, is now the Barrentine Delta Scholarship Golf Classic in honor of James L. Barrentine.

The tournament is an annual scholarship fundraiser for the U of A's Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences in U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Twenty-five tournaments, through this past summer, have resulted in the awarding of 240 scholarships to crop science or environmental, soil and water science majors, and donations of $556,450.71 since 2001. Those totals include the awarding of James L. Barrentine Endowed Scholarships since 2013.

Barrentine's career covered more than half a century of contributions to the agriculture industry, which began with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, the first beginning in 1965, and closed with dual appointment in Extension and as head of the department, then called the Department of Agronomy. 

His career between those appointments was very impressive with Dow Elanco, where he served as product development manager for the Southeast Region and eventually as director of plant science and field research for the U.S. However, he was drawn back to campus, returned home and made a lasting impression on the university and through Extension, and notably in CSES.   

"It's only fitting that we change the name to the Barrentine Delta Scholarship Classic in his honor," said Darrin Malone, southern technical agronomist with AMVAC. "I think the legacy he left speaks for itself in how he was able to connect with people and make a huge impact on the lives of alumni and students."

His team launched the first golf tournament in 2001 in Helena, primarily to provide scholarship support for students in eastern Arkansas. Funds from the tournament, now held at The Ridges at Village Creek at Village Creek State Park in Wynne, still support students mostly from southern and eastern Arkansas, but also assist students in other areas as well.

"We've never formally recognized Jim for his contributions, so the tournament name change just makes a lot of sense," Malone said. "Jim was the founder of our CSES Alumni & Friends Board 25 years ago as we embarked on increasing recruiting and fundraising to support the department. At the time, numbers were low in crop science, and we were trying to bring more awareness to students from east Arkansas or the Delta of Arkansas. Jim and our team understood that area was the backbone for row crop agriculture in the state and a key focus area to attract potential crop science students. Our board suggested a golf tournament as a great way to raise money, and this became our main fundraising activity over the years to support our Delta Classic Scholarships, plus fund the James L. Barrentine Endowment Scholarship."

Malone earned bachelor's and master's degrees from U of A's Bumpers College, was CSES Outstanding Alumnus in 2018 and is a past president of Bumpers College's Alumni Society.

He was part of the team which created the tournament with Barrentine, has served as tournament director many years and been part of all 25 events. He stepped down following the 2025 tournament, but may still be involved.

"Our first 10 years or so, the tournament was held at the Helena Country Club, which was fitting since both Jim and I had Phillips County ties, and it was a central location in the Delta," Malone said. "Our patrons have really enjoyed this tournament over the years, and some teams have been playing for 25 years, which is amazing. Our sponsors and volunteers have been the backbone of this tournament, which is greatly appreciated, since we couldn't do the tournament without their participation. I'm thankful for being a small part of this event and helping continue the legacy of helping students financially as they begin a new journey in life. 

"I want to thank our volunteers over the years, since most of them probably don't have a lot of extra time, but they have the heart to help students, which is what this tournament is all about," Malone said. "It's been an honor to give back."

Robby Rorie, research operations lead at the CORTEVA Agriscience Research Facility in West Memphis, is now the tournament director.

"It's a tremendous honor to step into the role of tournament director for an event that means so much to our department and our students," Rorie said. "As a former student myself, I know firsthand how impactful these scholarships can be."

Malone, who serves on the Arkansas Alumni Association National Board of Directors, has excelled in sales, product management and technical agronomy for industry giants such as Corteva Agriscience and Dupont. In 2016, he received the Dupont Pioneer Southern Region Hitchpin Award, celebrating his teamwork and leadership skills within the organization.

"It's nice to honor Jim Barrentine with the name change to the Delta Classic, since he provided constant leadership and vision to the University of Arkansas, Bumpers College and the CSES Department," Malone said. "Jim was a great mentor to many and started this legacy of scholarships for our students within the CSES Department that continues to this day. Job well done."

Another long-time tournament organizer, CSES Undergraduate Recruiting Coordinator Holly Yeatman, is also stepping down. She retired during the fall after serving with the department since 2000.

"Holly really has been a huge contributor to the tournament, especially keeping us organized and on task in making the tournament happen." Malone said. "You could always count on Holly, and she was that one person behind the scenes that kept everybody accountable. She will be missed greatly and wishing her much success in the next chapter of her life in retirement."

"On my first day of work, Drs. Barrentine, (Dick) Oliver and (Ron) Talbert picked me up from home at 5 a.m. to drive to Dumas to meet with a group of alumni and discuss recruiting," Yeatman said. "At that time, we didn't have much money for departmental scholarships for freshmen. The group we met with suggested holding a golf tournament to raise money for scholarships. We held a tournament that summer at the Helena Country Club and have been going strong ever since - except during COVID; we took one year off. We've raised more than $500,000 and awarded 240 scholarships during that time. Working with students has been a highlight of my career. It's gratifying to see them succeed in their college years and go on to do meaningful work."

"Holly Yeatman and Darrin Malone have made this (tournament) work from the beginning," said Paul DeLaune, department head of crop, soil and environmental sciences. "Their leadership will be missed moving forward."

Students wishing to apply for future Delta Classic scholarships should complete the Bumpers College scholarship application between Jan. 1-Feb. 15, and list their major as crop science, or environmental, soil and water science.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.